Family member stunned to learn why cousin accuses them of “stealing” $50 

A Christmas gift mix-up descended into a family feud after a Redditor mistakenly opened a present that was meant for their cousin.

The original poster (OP), Reddit user MountainRare6054, took to r/r/AITA_WIBTA_PUBLIC to recount the incident, which unfolded on Christmas Eve after their 12-year-old cousin delivered two gift boxes, stating that both were for the OP.

Both boxes contained candy, and in one, there was a $100 bill. After opening the packages and eating some of the candy, the OP discovered that one of the boxes was actually meant for their other cousin, “Dale”.

Realizing the mistake, the OP returned what remained of both boxes to their uncle, “Dave,” who is Dale’s father.

Initially, Dave appeared unconcerned. However, his reaction shifted dramatically the following day.

The OP wrote, “I was sitting in the living room when he came in and confronted me about it. He claimed that in Dale’s gift box was $50, but I don’t remember any $50. All I saw was $100 in my gift box. The more he talked about it, the more irate he became.

“He was yelling and swearing, telling me to ‘get up off my a** right now and go to the f****** bank and get $50’. I told him to calm down and to not get angry with me, and he said that he was and that everyone else in the family that he told was p***** off too, including my aunt, who was the one that gave the gifts to my cousin to give to me in the first place.”

Feeling pressured, the OP withdrew $60—an extra $10 for what they described as the “inconvenience”—from the bank and gave it to Dave.

Unfortunately, the situation did not end there.

The OP’s aunt left them two furious voicemails, calling them a thief and berating them for not saying thank you.

Reddit users overwhelmingly sided with the OP, arguing that the misunderstanding was a result of poor organization rather than intentional wrongdoing.

One user noted, “Your family gave a 12-year-old a responsibility and then didn’t listen to the explanation of what happened before they started freaking out.

“You are apparently 18+, so I’d be planning to move out ASAP.”

Another speculated that the situation may have been a setup, writing, “A single bill, a child sent to deliver said gifts, it really feels like a set-up.”

Echoing the thoughts of many, one Redditor asked, “Is everyone in your family this hostile all the time? You made an honest mistake and they have zero perspective on it.”

The Strain of Toxic Family Dynamics

According to Newsweek, toxic family members often exhibit controlling or manipulative behavior, sometimes reacting with extreme hostility over minor disputes.

This type of family stress can lead to long-term emotional distress, particularly when individuals feel obligated to maintain relationships despite ongoing mistreatment.

Psychologists advise that in these cases, it may be necessary to establish firm personal boundaries or, in some situations, cut ties altogether. A blog from Taylor Counseling Group notes that setting limits on interactions can help individuals protect their mental well-being.

The blog recommends recognizing patterns of behavior and refusing to engage in repetitive, unhealthy conflicts.

Newsweek has contacted MountainRare6054 comment via Reddit.

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